Web severing and clamping means



Jan. 3, 1950 o. COOKSEY 2,492,968

WEB SEVERING AND CLAMPING MEANS Filed June 3, 1946 INVENTOR. OIL/7C7Cooksey ATTOIQ/VfY Patented Jan. 3, 1956 ZAtZ,

WEB SEVERING AND CLAMPIN G MEANS Otha Cooksey, Louisville, Ky., assignorto The Collmar Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of FloridaApplication June 3, 1946, Serial No. 674,154

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for severing Webs, such as webs ofpaper in printing presses, coating machines and the like.

In printing presses, coating machines and the like wherein long webs ofmaterial are being handled, it is desirable to sever the web in event ofits breaking or tearing to prevent the web entangling in the conveyingand printing or coat-" ing assemblies, thus wasting paper and causingdamage. However this entanglement or wrapiip. as it is commonly termed,is not always prevented by tearing or severing. oftentimes, theapproaching edge of the severed web is pulled into the rolls by staticaction, thus causing wrapup after the web has been severed. Priorsevering devices have operated only to sever or tear the paper and havenot eliminated wrap-up with its consequent trouble of disentanglementand a considerable waste of the web material.

In overcoming this disadvantage of the prior art, it is an object of myinvention to provide a combined severing and clamping device wherein theapproaching edge of the web is clamped securely and held against anyforward movement simultaneously with the severing.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel andrelatively small severing mechanism for webs that is of sufficientlysmall size such that it can be positioned immediately adjacent the rollsand prevents waste of the web material as well as prevents wrap-up whichmay follow when the web is out too far away from the rolls.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novelquick-acting web cutter capable of operation in a very short time.

Still a further object of my invention is the provision of a novelweb-cutter arranged to be actuated by electrical means such as asolenoid, the cutter being arranged to become operative on energizationof the solenoid for only a short time, thus permitting the solenoid tobe heavily overloaded and accomplish more work than that for which itwas designed.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims taken in connection with the attacheddrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a cutting and clamping assembly embodyingmy invention, the as- ;embly being shown in open position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 in clampin Josition.

- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but of the op- :osite side of theassembly.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of the opposite side of theassembly.

Fig. 5 is a partially diagrammatic view showing the cutting and clampingbars in web-passing position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view as Fig. 5 with the bars shown in clampingposition.

Fig; '7 is a wiring diagram of the assembly.

In brief, the present invention comprises combined severing and clampingmeans for a web whereby the approaching edge of the web is securelyclamped against continued movement and Wrap-up is prevented, theoperating means for the severing and clamping means including a loadedmember arranged to be released Within a very short time after a break inthe web and become immediately efiective to sever the web and clamp theapproaching edge thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive which illustrate a preferredembodiment of my invention, the assembly includes suitable supports suchas channel bars H, a fixed base bar l2 mounted on the supports, a strapl3 on one side of base bar l2 having a smooth upper edge, and a strap Mon the other side of base bar 12 having a serrated upper edge l5,preferably formed in section as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the two strapsbeing secured to base bar I 2 by bolts It or equivalent means andpositioned to extend upwardly beyond the upper surface of the base barto form a channel l'l therewith as shown in Fig. 5.

Paired links [8 and I9 are pivoted at opposite ends of the base bar at2| to pivotally support a moving bar 22 by pivotal connections 23 to thelinks, the link I9 being extended downwardly to terminate in a handle24. Link I9 is also provided with a latch pin 25 and is connectedadiacent the handle to a tension spring 26, the latter also beingconnected to the bottom face of the base bar at 21.

A latch lever 28 is pivoted on base bar l2 at 29 and formed with a latchlug 3| and a notch 32 arranged to engage latch pin 25 in its differentpositions. Lever 28 is pivotally connected at 33 to a link 34, connectedin turn by pin 35 to the reciprocating core 36 of solenoid 31 mounted onone of the supports. A compression spring 38 is mounted on amicro-switch housing 39 in a manner such that the switch containedtherein. which is of conventional type, is moved to opencircuit positionby opening movement of the latch lever and compression of the spring.

Solenoid 31 is mounted in series with microswitch 39 and a controlswitch 42 (Fig. '7), responsive to breaking or tearing of the web .73through a web-contacting element M, the latter being arranged to closeswitch 42 when the tension of the web W fails as by breaking or tearingas shown in Fig. 6.

In operation, hand lever 24 is moved to the position of Figs. 1 and 4,thereby storing considerable power inspring 26, lever 24 being held inthis position by latch lug 3i aengaging' latch pin 25 under the actionof spring'38. At this time, bar 22 is raised above the base bar and itsside members a sufficient distance to define a slot through which theweb may .pass. Micro-switch 39 is closed, and switch 42 is open byreason of the web being under tension. The arrangement of the parts isillustrated in ing roller being shown at 43, a packing cylinder at 44and an impression cylinder, at.

When the web tears or breaks as in Fig. 6, web follower 4! closes switch42 which energizes solenoid 31 to pivot latch lever 28 in acounter-clockwise direction and'release pin25. Spring '26 then becomeseffective to snap the bars tothe closed position of Figs. 2, 3 and 6."The receding edge of the web is'cut by serrations l5 and theapproaching edge clamped between the barsin channel I! as shown in'Fig'. 6.

Micro-switch 39 is-immediately responsive to the movement of lever 28and. is opened, thereby opening the circuit to thesolenoid anddeenergizing the latter. Obviously the micro-switch may be placed atother positions on'the assembly and function in an identical manner.Because of its operation on release of the latch, it is necessary thatthe solenoid be energized for only a fraction of a second, therebyincreasing-its life. An additional advantage is that a small capacitysolenoid may be used which can be heavily overloaded during its periodof operation without fear of damage. The solenoid can thus be used formore work than which it isdesigned.

The feature of my invention in clamping the approaching edge of the webis eifective in preventing wrap-up by reason of static action. Byapproaching edge is meant'the edge approaching the severing and clamping--mechanism.

My assembly can be used in one or more places in a web handling machine.For example in a four color press where a press unit is used for eachcolor, I prefer to place assemblies between the supply roll and thefirst unit," between'the first and second units closely adjacentthe'intake side of the second unit, and between the first and secondunit adjacent the outlet 'side'of thefirst unit. Where the'distancebetween the first and second unit is great, assemblies maybe positionedadjacent the remaining units. An assembly may also be positioned betweenthe-last unit and the folding unit to prevent that unit from wrappingupby pulling backwardly away from the folding unit.

Preferably, I' provide my cutting and'clamping assemblies throughout apress or similar machine and arrange'the control circuit so'that whenone cutter is operated by breaking 'or. tearing of the web, all thecutters are operated. This provides full protection against wrap-up.anddamage to the plates and other mechanism." Furthermore, it leaves'theweb'in aseries of separate pieces which can be readilyspliced and usedto thread the new web throughthe press. "This saves the length of a webin rethre'adingsince'the new web is threaded without'the usual handlingwhich leaves grease-marks'thereon and otherwise renders'it of no valueexcept as a threading medium.

It is to be noted that such savings are not possible :75

Fig. 5, a web'support where the web is merely severed and is notclamped.

It will also be noted from Figs. 5 and 6 that the entire assembly on oneside of and immediately adjacent the web consists of only the cutter bar22 which is relatively small. Consequently, the assembly can bepositioned very close to the one or .both of the cylinders of a pressunit, as close as 3" tothe packing cylinder where a plurality ofimpression cylinders are used, thus reducing paper waste and preventingwrap-up which may Jib follow cuttingtoo far away from the cylinders.

By the packing cylinder, I mean the cylinder oppositely disposed one ormore printing cylinders to insure the web-receiving the proper pressureagainstthe'impression or plate cylinders.

My assembly. is characterized by its speed of operation which is muchfaster than when a solenoidalone is used to accomplish closing of thebox. In high speed presses, wherein the web may .travel asfast as 30feet persecond; it is essential .that the seyeringaand clamping: be,accomplished in a fraction of arsecond- -Q w se a apeup of as muclras 30feet of;.web maybe sufficient to damage or:.break,1the plates.Myassembly has proven itself capablepf almostginstantaneous operation insuch; {presses and has eliminated wrap-up and anydamage-resultingztherefrom.

Having described-my; invention, I claim:

1. A web severing device for a press or like machine comprising: apairof members 1 mounted across the path of the web arranged in a positionwherein they areseparated-to form a.web passage through ;-which;,,thethreaded :web passes, said members comprising cooperating cutting andclamping elements; and; quick acting means responsive to web1breakagefor-movingsaid members from the-separatedito the cutting andclamping position andretaining said; members in suchposition'whereinthey come together to sever the threaded web. andrelease ;the receding severed edge of the cuti-webgwhile clamping theother severed edge thereof.

2. The'device of claim lwherein one of the members is formed as achannel andthe opposing member is :shaped to fit within the channel incutting and clampin position.

3. The device of claim l,wherein one of the members-is formed as, achannel having one leg thereof formed as a cutting edge and the opposingmember-is arrangedrtopassinto the channel on going to the cuttingandclamping position to cut the web on the cutting edge and clamp the.web against. the bottom and remaining leg of the channel.

4. The devicev of claim 1 wherein one of the members is formed as achannel substantially transversely disposed .of the web, the leg of thechannel on the web-receding side being formed as a cutting edge.

5; The-device of claim. 1 wherein one of the members is movable and.is;mounted.to travel obliquely in a plane substantially normal to thesurface of the web in going-tocuttingand clamping position.

6. The device -of c1aim lwherein the means responsive to web;breakage;inc ludes a solenoid effective to operate the releasable meanson breakage of the web.

- 7. The deviceof claim l-wherein the means responsive toweb breakageincludes a solenoid effective to operate the releasable-means onbreakage of the web, and means is provided todeenergize the solenoid-,on movement-or the members toward cutting and clamping position. 1

8. A web severing device for a web passing through a press unit of thetype including a packing cylinder and an impression cylinder,comprising: an assembly includinga pair of cutter bars mounted acrossthe path of the web and arranged for relative movement from a positionwherein they are separated to form a slot through which the web passes,to a position wherein they come together to sever the web, the assemblyon one side of and immediately adjacent the web consisting of arelatively small bar carrying cutting and clamping elements whereby theassembly can be positioned immediately adjacent one of said cylindersand the web severed immediately adjacent its point of contact with thecylinder; and means for moving the cutter bars to cutting position onbreaking or tearing of the web.

9. A web severing device for a web passing through a press unit of thetype including a packing cylinder and an impression cylinder,comprising: an assembly including a pair of cutter bars mounted acrossthe path of the web and arranged for relative movement from a positionwherein they are separated to form a slot through which the web passes,to a position wherein they come together to sever the web, the assemblyon one side of and immediately adjacent the web consisting of arelatively small cutter bar whereby the assembly can be positionedimmediately adjacent one of said cylinders and the web severedimmediately adjacent its point of contact with the cylinder; means foryieldingly forcing the bars toward cutting position; means forreleasably holding the bars in web-passing position against the actionof the forcing means; means including a solenoid responsive to webbreakage to release said latter means to eifect cutting of the web; andmeans effective upon the release of said holding means to render thesolenoid inoperative.

10. A web severing device for a web passing through a press unit of thetype including a packing cylinder and an impression cylinder,comprising: a pair of cutter bars mounted across the path of the web andarranged for relative movement from a position wherein they areseparated to form a slot through which the web passes, to a positionwherein they come together to sever the web, the device on one side ofand immediately adjacent the web consisting of a relatively small cutterbar whereby the assembly can be positioned immediately adjacent one ofsaid cylinders and the web severed immediately adjacent its point ofcontact with the cylinder; means for yieldingly forcing the bars towardthe cutting and clamping position; means for releasably holding the barsin the Web passing position against the action of the forcing means; andmeans responsive to web breakage to release said latter means to permitthe bars to move to the cutting and clamping position and hold the barsin said position.

11. A web severing device for cutting a web which is threaded through apress or like machine comprising: a pair of members mounted across thepath of the web and arranged for relative movement from a latchedposition, wherein they are separated to form a slot through which thethreaded web passes, to a cutting position wherein they come together tosever the threaded web and release one severed edge of the web whileclamping the other severed edge thereof; means for releasably holdingthe members in the latched position; means responsive to web breakagefor actuating the holding means to release the members; and storedenergy means normally urging the members yieldably toward the cuttingposition and operative, when the holding means releases the members, tosnap the released members from the latched position to the cuttingposition, said first mentioned means being operative after actuation tohold the members in clamping position.

12. A web severing device for cutting a web which is threaded through apress or like machine comprising: a pair of members mounted across thepath of the web and arranged for relative movement from a latchedposition, wherein they are separated to form a slot through which thethreaded web passes, to a cutting position wherein they come together tosever the threaded web and release one severed edge of the web whileclamping the other severed edge thereof; manually operable means formoving the members to the latched position; a latch for releasablyholding the members in the latched position; a solenoid responsive toweb breakage for actuating the latch to release the members; and aspring normally urging the members yieldingly toward the cuttingposition and operative, when the latch releases the members, to snapthem to the cutting position.

13. An improvement in printing presses and like machines having a webwhich travels over a predetermined path, comprising: a web holding andcutting device arranged to be mounted along the path of travel of theweb in a normally inoperative position in which it permits the web tomove forward; means responsive to deflection of a part of the web fromsaid path for actuating said holding and cutting device to operativeposition to out said web and clamp the approach web side of said outweb; and means releasably maintaining said holding and cutting device inclamping position after such actuation.

14. An improvement for printing presses and like machines having a webwhich travels over a predetermined path, comprising: a web holding andcutting device arranged to be mounted along the path of the web in anormally inoperative position in which it permits the web to moveforward freely; means responsive to web deflection for actuating saidholding and cutting device to the operative position and retaining saiddevice in such position to cut and hold the approaching-web side of thecut web against movement; and means for attaching said device to apress.

15. An improvement in printing presses and like machines having a webwhich travels over a predetermined path comprising: a unitary webcutting and holding device having web clamping elements and web cuttingmeans located on the web discharge side and connected for simultaneousaction, said device being arranged to be mounted along the path of theweb in a normally inoperative position in which it permits the Web tomove forward freely; and means responsive to web deflection for movingsaid device to an operative position simultaneously to cut the web andclamp the approaching-web side for holding the clamped web againstforward movement.

OTHA COOKSEY.

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